SEC West Preseason from Bham News.

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How SEC West stacks up

Sunday, August 28, 2005

In order of predicted finish by The Birmingham News

LSU TIGERS: 

2004 RECORD: 9-3, 6-2 SEC. COACH: Les Miles (first season at LSU; 28-21 in four seasons overall). BET ON IT: Nick Saban left a stocked cupboard and Miles will pick up where Saban left off. With Auburn rebuilding and Alabama a year away from serious contention, LSU could run away with the West. JUST BLUFFING: Graduation took its toll on defense and unreliable play at quarterback could turn high expectations into a season of frustration. The season-ending injury to RB Alley Broussard was a key blow. THE STUD: RB Joseph Addai. He can do it all - run, catch and block - and he's a savvy veteran. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: QB Ryan Perrilloux. The true freshman won't languish on the bench if the top two quarterbacks, JaMarcus Russell and Matt Flynn, struggle. WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: Players welcome Miles' friendlier approach and talent takes care of the rest, sending LSU to the SEC Championship Game and a desirable bowl bid.

AUBURN TIGERS: 

2004 RECORD: 13-0, 8-0 SEC. COACH: Tommy Tuberville (51-24 in six seasons at Auburn; 76-44 in 10 seasons overall). BET ON IT: Auburn picks up where it left off, padding a 15-game winning streak with six consecutive victories to open the season, turning an Oct. 22 showdown at LSU into the battle for the Western Division title. JUST BLUFFING: Georgia Tech is no pushover and LSU and Georgia are road games. That's a lot to ask of a whole-new offensive backfield. And of a mostly-new defensive secondary. THE STUD: LB Travis Williams. When he's healthy, he's as good as they come. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: QB Brandon Cox. The Hewitt-Trussville product has the chance to prove that Al Borges' system borders on brilliance. WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: Another strong season for Tuberville and the Tigers, another impressive bowl berth. But this time, no debate about why the Tigers were left out of the BCS mix.

ALABAMA CRIMSON TIDE: 

2004 RECORD: 6-6 overall, 3-5 SEC. COACH: Mike Shula (10-15 in two seasons). BET ON IT: A defense that was among the nation's elite a year ago should be tough again, particularly through the air. While all eyes focus on the health of QB Brodie Croyle, Alabama is better prepared this year to move on without him if necessary. The arrival of John Parker Wilson is one reason. Additional playmakers is the other. JUST BLUFFING: True, there's more skill talent, but who will block? A revamped offensive line struggled in the preseason and has little time to jell. Alabama gets Florida, Tennessee and LSU in T-Town, but when was the last time the Tide used the home field to its advantage? THE STUD: OLB DeMeco Ryans. The best of a talent-laden corps may be the league's premier headhunter. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: RB Kenneth Darby. If he's truly over the sports hernia injury, Darby will be the playmaker the Tide's running game desperately needs. WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: Expectations are again high, but unwarranted. The Tide will be better, but this year's version of Auburn? Not yet.

ARKANSAS RAZORBACKS

2004 RECORD: 5-6, 3-5 SEC. COACH: Houston Nutt (53-33 in seven seasons at Arkansas; 89-55 in 12 seasons overall). BET ON IT: Defensive coordinator Reggie Herring's no-huddle scheme could help put the Razorbacks in position for a seventh bowl bid in Nutt's eight seasons. Another plus is an early schedule that includes home dates with Missouri State, Vanderbilt and Louisiana-Monroe. JUST BLUFFING: You don't replace Matt Jones and you don't cheer the return of nine starters on a defense that gave up 35 or more points four times in 2004. Who signed a contract to play USC on the road a week before heading to Tuscaloosa? Frank Broyles or the Marquis de Sade? THE STUD: RG Zac Tubbs. Last season ended with a broken ankle and preseason injuries have slowed his progress. Still, he's a behemoth. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: RB Darren McFadden. The true freshman is way down on the depth chart now, but could be a breakout player by midseason. WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: Another season bordering on .500 and calls for Nutt's head. Remember, unemployed NFL and University of Miami coach Butch Davis is an Arkansas native.

OLE MISS REBELS: 

2004 RECORD: 4-7, 3-5 SEC. COACH: Ed Orgeron (first season). BET ON IT: Orgeron's energy will restore some luster in Oxford and make QB Micheal Spurlock look like a brand-new player, but the Rebels are outgunned in the SEC West. JUST BLUFFING: Orgeron must start over on offense, reworking his line. While he's high on Spurlock, fans want to see backups Robert Lane and Ethan Flatt early on. THE STUD: LB Patrick Willis. The junior should have an All-SEC season. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: SS Jamarca Sanford. The redshirt freshman is an emerging star and one of the few rookies to pan out (five freshmen have left the team). WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: Behind Orgeron, Ole Miss will be more competitive, but a first bowl berth for the former USC assistant won't come this season.

MISSISSIPPI STATE BULLDOGS: 

2004 RECORD: 3-8, 2-6 SEC. COACH: Sylvester Croom (3-8 in one season). BET ON IT: For the most part, State was competitive last season. Just ask Ron Zook. The West Coast offense sputtered, but with QB Omarr Conner and Co. now a year wiser, it has potential to do some damage. JUST BLUFFING: Thanks to NCAA sanctions and a lack of depth, Croom's rebuilding plan remains long term. Auburn, Georgia, LSU and Florida all await State in the first six games. Look for a possible upset at home, but more of the same on the road. Mississippi State has lost 19 of its past 20 road games. THE STUD: RB Jerious Norwood. If he played elsewhere in the SEC, he'd be a legitimate Heisman Trophy candidate. THE ACE UP THE SLEEVE: WR Tee Milons. The senior has had a rollercoaster career, but he has been a pleasant surprise in preseason drills. WHAT'S IN THE CARDS: A long season is in store for the Bulldogs. But with Croom's references to The Bear and a team that won't quit, expect some drama. Compiled by News staff